Live! The Realest MC
About the Performance
Live! The Realest MC is an evening-length, ensemble work inspired by both the story of Pinocchio and Kyle Abraham’s early solo, Inventing Pookie Jenkins. Examining themes of identity, belonging, and gender performance, the work reimagines familiar narratives through the lens of “realness” and the desire for acceptance.
- Choreography
- Kyle Abraham in collaboration with the company
- Lighting Design
Dan Scully
- Costume Design
Kyle Abraham and Kristi Wood, with additional costume support by Maribeth Maxa, Liz Prince and the staff of Perry Mansfield
- Filmmaker
Carrie Schneider
- Music
Kyle Abraham, Alva Noto, James Blake, Bill Evans, Ben Frost, Mika Vainio, and Pan Sonic, with additional editing by Herman “soy sos” Pearl.
- Editing Advisor
Alexandra Wells
- Premiere Cast
Matthew Baker, Tamisha A Guy, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Claude “CJ” Johnson, Catherine Ellis Kirk, Marcella Lewis, Jeremy “Jae” Neal
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Premiere
- Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburgh, PA (2011)
Support
Live! The Realest MC was created with support from The MAP Fund, which is generously supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and Princess Grace Foundation-USA. This work was created, in part, during a Creative Development Residency at the Bates Dance Festival, with generous support from Major Choreographic Sponsor Rockefeller Brothers Fund and from Choreographic Sponsors David DeMuro & Chris Longobucco.
This work was developed, in part, through a Danspace Project residency at the Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance (ICPP) at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, through a 651 ARTS Artist Development Initiative residency at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY as well as during a residency provided by The Joyce Theater Foundation, New York City, with major support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Live! The Realest MC is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation Fund Project co-commissioned by Miami Dade College in partnership with On The Boards, Bates Dance Festival, Dance Place, 651 ARTS and NPN.
